Sandusky to appeal opinion rejecting new trial; Hearing date set for McQueary civil suit

Jerry Sandusky’s attorney has filed notice that he’ll appeal a judge’s ruling last month that rejected arguments that defense attorneys didn’t have enough time to prepare for the three-week trial at which the former Penn State assistant football coach was convicted on 45 child sex abuse charges.

The documents filed Monday on Centre County Common Pleas Court do not explain the issues defense attorney Joseph Amendola plans to raise in his Superior Court appeal.

Rather, they give notice an appeal will be filed so a transcript can be prepared of the hearings that led Judge John Cleland on Jan. 30 to reject Amendola’s earlier request for a new trial.

Cleland’s 27-page ruling also rejected defense arguments about jury instructions, hearsay testimony and a comment by the prosecution during closing arguments.

In the meantime, a date has been set for lawyers representing Penn State and former Nittany Lion assistant football coach Mike McQueary to discuss McQueary’s defamation suit against the university.

The meeint will take place on March 18.

Penn State is asking that McQueary’s civil suit be dismissed on the grounds that it’s too vague and doesn’t support the defamation claim.

McQueary is seeking lost wages, claiming he was a scapegoat in the Sandusky scandal.